‘. ’Yes," Sir Hugo said. "As I was saying, I took him in, fed him, clothed him, sent him to the best schools, and never could find the sternness in my heart necessary for his proper upbringing, because of my guilt and shame of abandoning her, even though she was too proud to tell me. My second wife died, leaving me the sole parent of three poor babes. Even then, I could not raise a hand to him, not after ruining his poor mother, for being the one who caused her untimely death.’

’Er, which mother are we talking of?" the vicar dithered. "His mother… Father!" Sir Hugo snapped. "Alan was the very image of her when he was a boy. How could I strike him? How could I deny him anything his heart desired?" He sank his face into his hands. ’You poor fellow," the vicar said, patting him on the back. "God most assuredly is aware you tried, Sir Hugo," the vicar went on. "For we have all sinned not only by commission but by omission as well, and come short of the glory of God. Any small act of contrition and amends is-’

‘He is a rakehell," Sir Hugo said, shooting to his feet and going for the brandy decanter, away from the vicar's petting. ’ Indeed.’

’A gambler, a Corinthian, a brothel dandy and the bane of any pretty maid in London," Sir Hugo went on with some heat. "He fought a duel. so please you, for his alleged honor, brought comment on this family by his shocking conduct, wasted my money to clothe him in that ridiculous Macaroni fashion… he was expelled from Harrow, sir.’

’Merciful God," the vicar gasped at this last revelation. "Something about emulating the Gunpowder Plot and the Governor's privy. I do not see him mending his way in future, either. ‘

‘God forgives all, Sir Hugo. Even the most practiced sinner," the vicar reminded him with a beatific smile, and a brandy glass that was dryasdust on the bottom. ’Even the attempted rape of his own sister? The rest I could live down, but this! Belinda will be ruined! What gOod man would have her, even with her dowry and prospects? How shall I face the world as the father of a boy doomed to be hanged like one of the filthy Mob?" Sir Hugo filled the vicar's glass and then threw himself into a face-down sulk behind his desk.